Saint Hildegard

Carmen Acevedo Butcher

Offers easy-to-understand translations of the most representative and stunning ideas of Hildegard, a medieval mystic, presenting Hildegard's life and era, a criticism of her writings, and a chronology of her life.

A Spiritual Reader

Hildegard of Bingen

“Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside, you’ve got heaven and earth, and all of creation. You’re a world – everything is hidden in you.” –Hildegard of Bingen She was a Benedictine abbess, artist, composer, dietician, naturalist, poet, travelling preacher, mystic, and political consultant. She was a self-doubter with acute certainty in a merciful and mysterious God; a gifted healer who suffered from illness her whole life. Meet the incomparable Hildegard of Bingen. Nourishing, challenging, and idea-bursting, her writings will stir and awaken your soul. This essential reader captures the vibrant spirit and intelligence of Hildegard with selections from her songs, theological texts, liturgical music, and letters. Combined with an introduction to Hildegard’s life and era, a map of Hildegard’s Germany, chronology, and a thorough bibliography/discography, Hildegard of Bingen provides the ideal introduction to the thought of this fascinating medieval mystic. “Nothing short of delightful . . . . I often felt I was reading Hildegard, the real Hildegard, for the first time.” -Dr. Katharina Wilson, Professor of Comparative Literature, The University of Georgia “This book is a gift to the church. Carmen Butcher wisely selects and elegantly translates Hildegard’s works, including her soaring music, spiritual visions, and selected letters.” -Scot McKnight, author of The Jesus Creed and The Real Mary “Carmen Butcher has tapped into St. Hildegard’s spirit and made it accessible.” – Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., St. Gregory’s Abbey and University

A Reader

Phyllis Tickle

Through this book of daily readings, discover an astonishing view of a God who is tender, nurturing, forgiving, and as close as breath.

Christian Women Mystics

A Little Daily Wisdom

A marvellously readable translation of the great Middle English classic of Christian mysticism. Now part of the beautifully designed Shambhala Pocket Library collection. This anonymous fourteenth-century text is the glory of English mysticism, and one of the most practical and useful guides to finding union with God ever written. Carmen Acevedo Butcher's new translation is the first to bring the text into a modern English idiom--while remaining strictly faithful to the meaning of the original Middle English. The Cloud of Unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him (or her) in the way of Divine union. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand, as well as practical, providing advice on prayer and contemplation that anyone can use. Previous translations of the Cloud have tended to veil its intimate, even friendly tone under medieval-sounding language. Carmen Butcher has boldly brought the text into language as appealing to modern ears as it was to its original readers more than five hundred years ago.

Carmen Acevedo Butcher

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